Superb catalytic properties of nickel cobalt bimetallic nanoparticles immobilized on 3D nitrogen-doped graphene for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

Abstract

Nickel cobalt bimetallic nanoparticles (NiCo NPs) with different molar ratios were stabilized over three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene [3D-(N)G] by a chemical coreduction method. Various spectroscopic and microscopic analysis techniques were employed to characterize the resulting NiCo@3D-(N)G samples. The catalytic activity of as-synthesized material was examined for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). In presence of NiCo@3D-(N)G nanocomposite, the decomposition temperature was decreased by 140.9 °C and the high-temperature decomposition peak of AP disappeared. Also, the total heat release during decomposition of AP was significantly increased to about 1176.6 J g−1. The presented catalyst exhibits an impressive catalytic effect for thermal decomposition of AP, due to its unique properties including porous structure, good dispersion of NiCo NPs over 3D-(N)G, consolidated interaction between 3D-(N)G and NiCo NPs, and synergistic effect between two metals.